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An Inspector Calls is essentially a vehicle for Priestley to criticise capitalism. Discuss. -- A* - page 1
Keywords: An Inspector Call Priestley capitalism
By georgie1 on 31/12/2009
Level: GCSE Key Stage 4 (Years 10-11)
Page Number: 1 of 10 pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10JB Priestley’s popular script of ‘An Inspector Calls’ is arguably one of the most politically opinionated plays of its time. First performed in the United Kingdom in 1946, the public were already conscious of Priestley’s strong left-wing views, consequently causing audiences to be expectant of an expressive socialist play. Before the production of ‘An Inspector Calls’, Priestley was a regular presenter of his own BBC radio show in 1940. This gave him the opportunity to air his views to the nation on modern issues and therefore allowed him to promote socialism. In 1942 Priestley was co-founder and initial chair of the Common Wealth Party, a socialist political party in the United Kingdom during, and post, World War Two. However, ‘An Inspector Calls’ is set in the spring of 1912, before both of the world wars and during an era predominantly influenced by capitalism. The audience will already be aware of events that have occurred since the period of the play, giving them the knowledge into the strengths and weaknesses of both capitalism and socialism.
Some audiences may feel that after watching ‘An Inspector Calls’, JB Priestley promotes capitalism by using social status and the reactions of certain characters to politics and society. However, most people tend to believe that the overall plot of the play focuses on belittling capitalist views and therefore criticising capitalism. The most significant capitalist figures presented to the audience are Mr and Mrs Birling and their relationships with each other and with their children: Sheila and Eric. JB Priestley portrays quite how capitalist the family are before going on to belittle and mock the key capitalist characters. Priestley does this by using dramatic irony involving real life situations that occurred after the era of the play. For example, he describes the rumours of a war to be “silly little war scares”. However, the audience is aware of the fact that the ‘scares’ developed into being the First World War. Mr Birling discusses the “Titanic” with his family, oblivious to the fact that the ship later sank. Also, states that he ignores “silly pessimistic talk” about industry, causing him to seem ignorant. As a result, the capitalist is portrayed to be over-confident and self-assured of his own opinions and dismissive of world politics. The director may have the character of Mr Birling saying these ironic lines in a voice that belittles the negative ideas that have been outlined,
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